Having wisely abandoned the adornments of the world, Moses of great renown subdued the carnal passions by the mighty pangs of abstinence, and having cast down the greatly crafty one, he received a crown of victory. Through his prayers, O Lord, grant great mercy unto all.

¶8

Now & ever…: Dogmatic theotokion, in the same tone—

¶9

Troparion, in Tone IV—

¶10

A Reading from the Wisdom of Solomon

¶11

Thou didst possess exemplary abstinence, all-night standing, a vigilant eye and a mind which perceived the beauty of God, O blessed Moses. Wherefore, thou hast received the grace of healing, that thou mayest cure cruel sufferings. For this cause we beg thee, O father: Ask thou great mercy for all.

¶12

Now & ever…: Theotokion, in the same tone—

¶13

Covered by the hand of God, O father Moses, thou didst pass unscathed through the wiles, assaults and pursuit of the demons, and, adorned with dispassion, thou hast been numbered among all the venerable. Pray thou that great mercy be granted to those who honor thee with faith.

¶14

Glory…, Now & ever…: Theotokion—

¶15

My thoughts are impure, my lips false, and all my works defiled. What then shall I do? How shall I greet the Judge? O Virgin Mistress, beseech thy Son, the Creator and Lord, that He receive my soul in repentance, in that He alone is compassionate.

¶16

Stavrotheotokion—

¶17

“O my Child, I cannot bear to see Thee in repose upon the Tree, Who grantest vigilance unto all, that Thou mayest impart divine and saving vigilance to him who of old fell into the sleep of destruction because of the fruit of disobedience!” cried the weeping Virgin, whom we magnify.

¶18

A desert-dweller, an angel in the flesh and a wonderworker wast thou shown to be, O our God-bearing father Moses. For, having acquired heavenly gifts through fasting, vigilance and prayer, thou dost heal the infirm and the souls of those who have recourse to thee with faith. Glory to Him Who gave thee strength! Glory to Him Who crowned thee! Glory to Him Who worketh healings for all through thee!

¶19

On “Lord, I have cried…”, 6 stichera, in Tone VIII: Spec. Mel.: “O all-glorious wonder…”—

¶20

O divinely wise Theodosius, commander in the army of the heavenly King, thou didst assemble a regiment of the venerable as spiritual soldiers. And blessing their struggles, we offer them hymns of praise and cry aloud, saying: As ye have boldness before God, the Master of all, ask great mercy for our souls, and peace for the whole world. Twice

¶21

A wondrous sight is seen by noetic eyes: the most blessed fathers, the spiritual warriors possessing wings of flame, come down from the heavens and hasten to our aid, arraying themselves against the prince of this world. Let us fall down before them, crying aloud: We invoke you, O our tireless helpers: haste ye to deliver us from the enemies who assail us, and grant us deliverance from tribulations. Twice

¶22

Surrounding thy flock with the armies of heaven, O Theodosius our venerable father, repel the attacks of the enemy; for they ever take counsel to destroy it with evil assaults. But as thou art quick to help, grant assistance unto us who have recourse unto thee and ask of thee deliverance; and forsake us not amid the griefs of the visitation of evils. Twice

¶23

Glory…, in Tone VIII—

¶24

O our most blessed fathers, who stand before the throne of the three-Sunned Godhead, shining richly with unapproachable radiance: from sufferings and misfortunes free us who today stand with love on earth and hymn your assembly with voices of praise, in that ye are the sure mediators and advocates before God for our souls.

¶25

In His love for mankind, the King of heaven appeared on earth and dwelt among men; for He Who received flesh from the pure Virgin and came forth from her having received human nature, is the only Son of God, two in nature but not hypostasis. Therefore, proclaiming Him to be truly perfect God and perfect man, we confess Christ our God. Him do thou beseech, O Mother unwedded, that our souls find mercy!

¶26

Entrance. Prokimenon of the day. Three Readings:

¶27

The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for Himself. As gold in the furnace hath He tried them and received them as a burnt offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. They that put their trust in Him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with Him: for grace and mercy is to His saints, and He hath care for His elect.

¶28

The righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the Most High. Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand: for with his right hand shall He cover them, and with His arm shall He protect them. He shall take to Him His jealousy for complete armor, and make the creature His weapon for the revenge of His enemies. He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment for an invincible shield. His severe wrath shall He sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with Him against the unwise. Then shall the right-aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them. Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty. Hear, therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations. For power is given you by the Lord, and sovereignty from the Most High.

¶29

Though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest. For honorable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. He pleased God, and was beloved of Him: so that living among sinners he was translated. Yea, speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time: for his soul pleased the Lord; therefore hasted He to take him away from among the wicked. This the people saw, and understood not, neither laid they up this in their minds: that His grace and mercy is with His saints, and that He hath respect unto His chosen.

¶30

At the Aposticha, these stichera, in Tone II: Spec. Mel.: “O house of Ephratha…”—

¶31

O divinely chosen husbandmen, our venerable fathers of the Caves, on earth ye planted the noetic vineyard of the virtues, from whence ye have produced for us the worthy fruit of eternal life.

¶32

Stichos: The saints shall boast in glory, and they shall rejoice upon their beds.

¶33

Ye sowed tears amid grief, that sufficient fruit of joy might flourish in the courts of the Lord. And delighting therein forever, ye pray to the Lord for us.

¶34

Stichos: Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways.

¶35

Desiring to be delivered from the tumults of life, ye made your abode in a cave, where, having dwelt in the love of labor, ye entered into eternal rest. Pray ye there unto Christ the Master in our behalf.

¶36

Glory…, in Tone I—

¶37

Having escaped the stormy tumults of life, attained unto the serenity of the holy cave, and pleased the Lord there by love of labor, ye have now become citizens of Sion on high and sons of the kingdom of God. O God-bearing fathers, pray ye that those who ever honor your assembly with love may receive a portion of your glory.

¶38

Joy of the ranks of heaven, and mighty intercession for men on earth, O all-pure Theotokos: save us who have recourse unto thee, for on thee, after God, have we set our hope, O Theotokos.

¶39

Let us honor today the noetic sun and the radiant moon of the first leaders of the Caves, with the whole assembly of the venerable; for, illumining the firmament of the Church, they enlighten those who languish in the darkness of the passions, and by their supplications they grant help from Christ God amid all tribulations, and ask deliverance for our souls.

¶40

The mystery hidden from before the ages and unknown even to the angels, through thee, O Theotokos, hath been revealed to those on earth: God incarnate in unconfused union, Who willingly accepted the Cross for our sake and, thereby raising up the first-formed man, hath saved our souls from death.

Translated by Isaac Lambertsen. Edition menaion.en.lambertsen.